By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI
Landlords at the Masai Mara Game Reserve have called for a review of land leases in tandem with the current economic situation.
They said current charges on land leases favoured investors who were earning more from tourism activities but paying them peanuts.
“The lease we entered with hoteliers and other investors in the tourism sector do not reflect the current state of the economy. It is disheartening that they continue to post huge profits yet we live in poverty,” said Leshan Ntutu, their spokesperson.
Mr Ntutu, who owns land in the western side of the reserve, also said they had decided not to allow night game drives in their conservancies.
He claimed such activities were responsible for transfer of wild animals from the reserve to other conservancies besides poaching.
“We have rented out land to the investors who have over the years continued to exploit us by paying us low land rates. That is a factor that is contributing to high poverty levels in the Mara,” he said. Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Ntutu said it was an abuse that even owners and proprietors of hot air balloons were paying land owners a paltry Sh1,600 per guest before take offs yet each of the 12 guest — the capacity of the balloon — pay Sh38,250.
“Our patience is about to snap. It is time we are given money commensurate to the value of our land,” said Ntutu. He accused investors of abusing hospitality of local community by employing members of the Maasai community to do menial jobs.
Ntutu said as a result of exploitation and poverty, some people had been forced to sell their parcels of land at throwaway prices.
Narok West MP Patrick Ntutu said hoteliers and other investors should stop exploiting locals.
